Easton gas station robbed by Halloween-masked gunman

Monday

EASTON — Narendra Patel was putting the Monday papers in the newsstand when a gunman wearing a Halloween mask approached him.

Only 20 minutes into his 5 a.m. shift at Jay's Convenience Store/New World Gas, Patel found himself calling the police after handing some $300 over to the armed robber.

“He told me, ‘Don’t speak. Come to the counter,’” recalled Patel.

The Enterprise reached the 39-year-old shortly after 1:00 p.m., as his wife was coming in to take over the midday shift. The Patels live in Easton with their child, and do not own the business.

“Inside it’s very scary right now,” said Narendra Patel, pointing to his stomach. Before leaving, he told The Enterprise he was so exhausted from the incident that he found it hard to stand up. Nevertheless, the father returned to the store later that evening to complete his closing shift.

Police are still searching for the masked gunman who robbed the convenience store on Monday morning.

The gas station is located at 460 Turnpike Street, also known as Alger's Corner, where Route 138 and 106 meet.

Police say the robber was wearing all black clothing, and fled eastbound on foot down Foundry Street after the robbery.

A West Bridgewater police officer and his canine partner assisted Easton Police as they tried to track the robber, but the person was not located.

Patel, who was not injured, was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation before returning to his morning shift.